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In 1918, the Spanish Flu pandemic swept across the globe. Scientists didn’t know how to treat viruses, and personal hygiene methods were not as good as they are today. Self-isolation meant sitting at home, perhaps only with candlelight since electricity was new. Entertainment choices would have been limited to reading, sewing, or playing a musical instrument.

Today, technology has made this time of social distancing easier than it was 100 years ago. Facebook and other social media sites make it easy for us to keep up with friends and family, share recipes and jokes, and still feel connected. Video chat adds more connection to each other, giving us the ability to hear and see our loved ones. And now, students don’t have to miss school and can continue their education online.

Aside from playing Xbox or watching Netflix, we still have other activities to keep us occupied while stuck at home. Reading a good book is always a great choice that stimulates the imagination and keeps the brain busy. Daily exercise is also an important activity, and you can change up the routine to keep it interesting.

Yes, it may be boring sitting inside the house for days on end, but video and computer games provide a fun escape as well. With all of the technical wonders available today, practicing social distancing during the Coronavirus crisis is a lot easier than it was during the Spanish Flu pandemic.

National Correspondent at LibertyNation.com and LNGenZ.com. Kelli Ballard is an author, editor, and publisher. Her writing interests span many genres including a former crime/government reporter, fiction novelist, and playwright. Originally a Central California girl, Kelli now resides in the Seattle area.